You’re the New Guy
Starting over… again
Ok, you’re the new guy. New to a company, new to a technical team, new as the team’s leader. Complicating matters you have only vague knowledge of the company’s products, a good deal of the technology underpinning the products is of only passing familiarity to you, your awareness of the competition is based on the results of Google searches and perhaps some analyst reports. Interviews went well because you’re smart and experienced, and know lots of other stuff; but, you’re keenly aware that the team is ready to challenge you big time. You’re confident of your skills, yet terrified because you need to prove your mettle. The clock is ticking…
Mission difficult, not impossible
Sound familiar?
I’ve been through this range of feelings more times than I care to remember. Within a company and after changing to a new one. Join a team and establish myself. Perhaps be promoted to lead the team and then a reorg hits. I’m again an individual contributor or placed onto another team which has its own nuances, personalities, and dynamics. Each time the weight on my mind has been heavy and the fear present. Yet, these experiences and emotions helped shape me and facilitated my reinvention. Most importantly (to me and my employers), I was able to make a big difference … and do so quickly! Eventually, I realized that my learnings could be shared with others to help them overcome their fears and trepidations, while ensuring that teams I led were able to excel.
Day 1 fear
Recalling times, like starting at Microsoft way back in 1987, when I was told by a developer on Day 1 that he worked on Xenix/Unix memory management, and then not being spoken to again for several days. I literally had to somehow prove myself worthy for a relationship to develop (which by the way grew very tight). Interacting with other members of the team was similarly challenging because whatever I’d achieved at my prior company didn’t really matter to them. “What could I do now to fix a problem, make things easier, or bring success?” Can’t say that I blamed them, but it was a very scary moment. Alas, there were many more of these to come and fortunately I saw qualities in many people (other developers and respected individuals) which shaped my ability to adapt and survive.
How we handle change
It might sound like I’m bragging, but that is not my intent. I’ve got loads of similar stories – some from other people in my position – with many rather humorous in terms of how relationships started and progressed. My point is to highlight that change is hard and being the leader swept up in a change is another level of difficulty. We all feel the burden of such changes (which may be frequent), and I know this based on conversations with members of my teams, other organizations within companies in which I’ve worked, and the many people I’ve mentored in various enterprises. How we handle change – and the opportunities they present – is where we often differ.
Books, video, and presentations are not enough
There are all sorts of self-help books, personality tests and studies about the interaction of personality types. Each of these can be beneficial, especially when guided by an expert.
On the other hand, there is nothing like working side-by-side with someone who has “been there, done that.” Sharing experiences is wonderful but practicing leadership alongside one another, or observing a successful leader in action, is another level entirely. Having on-site guidance, immediate feedback (positive and negative), and someone to emulate can help immeasurably. And again, the importance of quickly and visibly realizing results can’t be understated. The saying that “time is money” is more relevant today than ever!
Eager to share insights
Let me show you how to excel, and demonstrate how to quickly make a difference literally leading by example. I’m happiest driving teams, creating or fixing processes, evolving cultures, and assisting with hiring. Helping others to competently set a direction, spearhead innovation, make critical decisions, guide team members, and grow individuals into very capable leaders and teams known for their ability to excel, takes this feeling to an altogether new level!
Please contact me at KrugerTechnologyLLC.com to know more. Let me explain in more tangible ways how I could help you and your enterprise. In the meantime, I’ll keep writing and provide more meaningful tips.
